Computer crime widespread

Cyberspace is under attack quite regularly, according to an FBI survey of more than 2,000 public and private organizations. The study revealed that almost 90 percent had experienced computer security incidents in 2005. There seems to be indication that, although organisations are getting better at understanding and responding to computer security risks, only 90 percent of organizations that experienced attacks reported them to law enforcement. The most common types of attacks remain viruses and worms. Total losses for the companies surveyed were estimated at $32 million.

Viruses were detected by 83 percent of those responding to the survey; 79 percent of those responding said they had encountered spyware during the year, while 20 percent said their networks had been scanned or had data sabotaged.